Feb. 1, 2008

Rome, Ga. - The newly-ranked Shorter Hawks basketball team increased its winning streak to three Thursday night as the Hawks defeated conference foe Faulkner 73-65 at the Winthrop-King Centre.

The win catapults No. 23 Shorter over the Eagles in the Southern States Athletic Conference standings into second behind an undefeated Lee team ranked fifth in the nation.

"I was just extremely proud of the resiliency and toughness that we showed tonight," Hawks coach Chad Warner said. "Everybody contributed to the win and that makes it fun for all of our guys."

Four Shorter players scored in double digits with Tomas Pranciliauskas leading the way with 19. A.J. Martin, Kedric Wilson and Fred Christopher each had 11.

Faulkner (10-11, 7-3) was paced by Richarde McCray's game-high 20 points.

The Hawks (15-5, 7-3) broke into the NAIA Top 25 poll on Tuesday after wins over cross-town rival Berry and Brewton-Parker. Shorter is at home again on Saturday to face SSAC opponent Auburn-Montgomery. The women tip off at 2 p.m. while the men begin at 4 p.m.